Stained clothes are a big no, no! They smell foul and as a result, the stains penetrate deep into the layers, thereby making the stains stubborn and tough. Well, clothes can get stained due to many reasons, spilling of drinks, curry, ketchup, etc. So, how can we remove such stains? Which is the best detergent for clothes? Before answering such questions, we must understand that these are common stains that can be easy as well as difficult to remove at the same time. When these stains are dried, they become tough to get rid of. Well, if we talk about the ways of removing stubborn stains, there are seven steps to it. Let us have a look at them!
Steps of Removing Food Stains
Food stains like that of curry, turmeric, etc., are common. But don’t worry! We’ve got your back! Below are the steps that you can follow in order to remove food stains. Have a look!
- Remove Dried Stains
Dried stains can easily be scrubbed off from the garment. Thus, before washing the stained cloth, it is best to remove the excess and dried dirt from it. For instance, if you have got a chocolate stain and it has dried, then you have to first scrape off the extra stain and then rinse it with warm water. Remember that warm water helps in removing the stains with ease.
- Soaking Solution
After the dried stains have been removed, the next step is to prepare a soaking solution. Fill a bucket full of warm water and add half a scoop of detergent to it. Mix the solution by hand and prepare a lather formula for the food-stained garment. Powder or liquid detergent can help in removing tough stains. Thus, prepare the soaking solution and move on to the next step!
- Soak the Garment
Once the soaking solution has been prepared, the next step is to soak the garment in the solution. Leave the garment soaked in the solution for at least one hour. Keep it immersed in water until you see that the stain has lightened.
- Washing the Garment
Take out the garment after one hour from the bucket and remove excess water from it. Wash it further under cold water and remove the soapy solution from it. Make sure the solution is completely removed before you put the cloth for dosing.
- Dosing the Garment
Add the detergent as per the type of machine and load you have. Refer to the instructions given on the back of the package. For the front-load machine, pour the detergent into the drawer. For the top-load washing machine, pour the detergent into the drum. Pour the detergent first and then follow the next step.
- Washing the Garment in Machine
Load the stained garments in the washing machine and set the cycle for the wash. Check the temperature as well of the garment. Don’t use hot water for washing clothes. Use lukewarm water for tough stain removal.
- Unload the Machine
Once the cycle is completed, unload the garments immediately and put them in the dryer. The dryer will remove the excess water from the garments, thereby clearing out the stains.
So, this is how you can remove the food stains from the garments. Now, there are other kinds of stains as well that can be removed easily using a good detergent. Let us have a look at such stains and the ways in which we can remove them.
- Oil/ Grease Stains
You can accidentally get oil and grease stains like cooking oil, butter, etc., on your clothes. If you have got such stains, then you need to act immediately. Wash the garment under water. Pre-treat the stain with the solution of water and a detergent. leave it for an hour to settle. Then wash the garment at a hot temperature to get rid of the stain.
- Fruit/ Vegetable Stains
Drinking juice or eating fruit can often result in stains. The best thing to do is to pre-treat the stain with a soaking solution and leave it for 30 minutes before you put it in the wash cycle. Use lukewarm water to get rid of such stains.
- Dessert Stains
You had a chocolate ice cream and it dropped on your white shirt? Don’t panic! Get a powder or liquid detergent and apply it to the stain. Leave it for half an hour and then try to scrub it with a brush. If the stain doesn’t come out after brushing, then repeat the process. As the stain comes out, wash the garment as usual in the washing machine.
- Egg/ Dairy Stain
Suppose some milk has spilled on your clothes. What will you do? There isn’t much to worry about. Just soak the garment in warm water. Add detergent on top of it. Leave the garment in the solution for one hour. Finally, wash the cloth as usual in a washing machine.
So, these are some of the common stains that can be easily removed with a liquid and powder detergent. Well, in order to find the best detergent for clothes, we often go for alkaline enriched detergents. This is one thing that we should refrain from. We must go for detergents that are phosphate and chlorine-free. Mild detergents are always suggested to wash clothes. There are a lot of mild detergents available in the market. Pick any one of them and tell us whether the detergent was effective or not! Also, use the steps mentioned above for effective cleaning of clothes.
FAQs
- Which is the best detergent for washing clothes?
There are different detergents available in the market for washing clothes. In order to determine and decide the best detergent for clothes, you need to look for the ingredients. Look for a mild detergent that is budget-friendly and safe for the skin. These detergents will help you wash the clothes effectively.
- What is the best thing to wash clothes with?
Mild detergents are the best when it comes to washing clothes. Alkaline-free detergents are best for washing clothes of babies, clothes of infected persons, etc. Thus, to get rid of bacteria, germs, and infections, use mild detergent powders/ liquid detergents.
- Which laundry detergent works best in cold water?
Well, if you want cold and quick washes, it is best to choose liquid detergents. Liquid detergents get easily dissolved in water and do not leave any residue behind. They are best for cold and quick washes. Thus, use liquid detergent if you wish to have effective cleaning of clothes.
